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Don't Panic About Space Weapons

By

Ashley J. Tellis

Updated Feb. 22, 2008 12:01 a.m. ET

On Wednesday night (EST), the U.S. launched a missile and intercepted a dead satellite that would have otherwise uncontrollably re-entered the atmosphere, possibly threatening populated areas with a toxic load of hydrazine fuel. The mission has resurrected fears about the so-called weaponization of space.

The Chinese foreign ministry had earlier admonished Washington "to fulfill its international obligations in earnest and ensure that the security of outer space ... will not be undermined." Barely two days before...